LACONIA — December 21, 2013, The longest night of this year – officially, the first day of winter, will begin with a "candlelight" vigil in Veteran's Square, Laconia, NH at 5:30 p.m.

The vigil is coordinated by New Hampshire Catholic Charities and the Belknap County Continuum of Care. Individuals will be remembered who died in New Hampshire while homeless or recently housed over the past year.

The annual memorial observation is now a tradition among Laconia area faith communities and community service providers and is held in conjunction with the National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day traditionally held on December 21—the longest night of the year. Laconia is one of more than 175 cities nationwide to observe the memorial.

Those attending are asked to come with a candle of some sort – a flashlight or other instrument.

To learn more about the face of homelessness or to make a difference, contact Leonard Campbell, Parish and Community Services coordinator, 528-3035 or www.nh-cc.org.